This is the 3rd project for the RAF 100th anniversary GB, Revell's repop of Matchbox's Blackburn (Hawker-Siddely) Buccaneer S.2B in Operation Granby Desert Pink. The kit 1st appeared in 1974.

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Though of 1974 vintage, the panel lines are engraved though almost toy like deep through out the kit. There is no cockpit at all just seats and pilots. I will find some MB resin ejection seats which won't be the exact MB Mk6 seats, but much better than the kit provided seats.

There are no weapons or even pylons to attach them too. Strictly a clean air frame. I may pick up a pair of resin slipper tanks just to have something hanging under the wings.
So typical Revell open ended box, again will place the sprues in a left over box as I start the project. A small decal sheet with basic markings for one OG Desert Pink machine.

We have three sprues with very light grey styrene, same as what appears in the Revell Typhoon. Though the plastic is not quite as soft.

One clear canopy as one piece as this unit slid open along the top of the forward fuselage. This will be configured closed as I considered the Pavla cockpit set. But I will do that for a future build.
Next up time to start the build. I will start this a little differently than the norm. As the build progresses. I will decide which markings I will apply as I do have a set in the decal stash for this. More to follow...Tally Ho!

2 additional images. Click to enlarge.

I seem to recall doing a Buccaneer a long time ago...I think it was a Matchbox as well, but probably 48th scale since I don't usually do any 72nd stuff. I do remember it came with multi-colored plastic parts, though. Jus' sayin'. 🙂

Craig, I have the Airfix 48th scale Buccaneer with all kinds of upgrades as it needs it. Don't recall if Matchbox did a 48th Bucc.

Good one Chuck, I have the old Airfix kit with raised panel lines, lets hope they do a new tooling ! and I picked up this Czech Master resin kit at my IPMS auction a few years ago at a bargain price !

2 attached images. Click to enlarge.

While still figuring out in how to approach the seat dilemma, I started to build some of the sub assemblies.

First removing the tail and nose halves off the sprue. Then assembling the nose first. No issues other than the deep panel lines. At this time I also dropped a fishing lead weight into the nose cone.

Next up the tail. Consisting of LH/RH vertical tail and rudder. 1 piece horizontal tail, and the emissions pod that mounts on top of the stabs.

Using the desk mounted vise, holding the tail as I attached the horizontal stabs to the tail and making sure it's level. Then attaching the pod on top of the assembly. Everything so far fitting well.

At this time I also removed and cemented the upper/lower halves of the tail cone.

Next up was to remove the 4 parts that made up the intake trunk/engine housing assemblies which also contains the inner wings and main gear bays. Which is nice to see some detail in the bays.

At this time I also removed the LH/RH fuselage halves clean off the attachment points and airbrush some Interior Medium Grey. Which I will get into the next session.

More to follow.

Thanks David, I was 14 in 1974. This is the fun part of this hobby.

Chuck, I often think modeling is something of a time machine that evokes all sorts of reminiscences and memories. I can sometimes get a smell or sensation that catapults my brain back to a very specific point, maybe building an old 1/72 kit (with about 14 parts) on a Sunday afternoon in my old room. Or going with friends to spend literally hours in the local model store, analysing the box art and arguing over relative merits of Axis v Allied planes. Gosh, those days were so much more innocent despite how much society has 'evolved' in regards to tolerance and equality.

David, that is actually a good point. I still get that feel or memory of years past when just opening a lid on a new kit, the scent of plastic like a new car smell. It's one thing to share here on line. But really it is just me and the model for a few hours on the weekend. It is one thing that is difficult to share with anyone. Unless your teaching a newbie how to build one. Otherwise it is a one man band.

Thanks Tom, it's something old yes, but it will be a fulfilling effort to bring this kit up to a build worthy of the aircraft it represents. The challenge also can only help with the skills. It is not always easy. But I see it as having fun and making this model into something that will look good sitting next to a Hase Tornado and Jaguar.